logo
Weather page
GET THE APP
ePaper
google_play
app_store
  • Login
  • E-Edition
  • News
  • Sports
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
    • Place an Ad
    • All Listings
    • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contests
  • Lifestyle/Entertainment
  • Games
    • News
      • Local News
      • PA State News
      • Nation/World
    • Sports
      • Local
      • College Sports
      • State
      • National
    • Obits
    • Opinion
      • News
        • Local News
        • PA State News
        • Nation/World
      • Sports
        • Local
        • College Sports
        • State
        • National
      • Obits
      • Opinion
    logo
    • Classifieds
      • Place an Ad
      • All Listings
      • Jobs
    • E-Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Login
      • Classifieds
        • Place an Ad
        • All Listings
        • Jobs
      • E-Edition
      • Subscribe
      • Login
    Home Opinion Pennsylvania’s electric grid relies on sturdy baseload power
    Pennsylvania’s electric grid relies on sturdy baseload power
    Guest Columns, Opinion
    TERRY JARRETT Special to The Era  
    November 7, 2017

    Pennsylvania’s electric grid relies on sturdy baseload power

    America’s energy sector has reached an interesting crossroads. After eight years of the Obama administration working to dismantle the nation’s coal fleet, the Trump administration has swept into office and upended the apple cart.

    Earlier this year, Energy Secretary Rick Perry commissioned a study to assess the health of America’s power grid. His subsequent report noted a sizable decline in America’s “baseload” power — and urged steps to improve the reliability of the nation’s electric grid.

    Overall, Perry is advocating an “all of the above” mix for the nation’s power sector. And this is an eminently sensible position. But in attempting to shore up America’s power grid, Perry is facing criticism because he’s chosen to prioritize reliable, practical power generation. However, his proposal could help to preserve 11,500 megawatts of Pennsylvania’s coal capacity — a significant step for a state that generates 31 percent of its electricity from coal.

    What’s relevant here is that America’s electric grid depends on a bulwark of baseload power to continuously meet the daily operational needs of the entire nation. For decades, this massive lift has been undertaken by coal and nuclear plants. But America has lost an unprecedented amount of baseload capacity in recent years. Since 2010, more than 60 gigawatts of coal capacity has disappeared — enough electricity to power 40 million homes.

    And by 2020, an estimated 80 gigawatts of coal capacity will have been shut down.

    No doubt, rising natural gas production and a decade of crippling federal regulations have served to eliminate a substantial portion of America’s coal fleet. And bankruptcies and cost overruns have simultaneously hampered replacements for an aging nuclear industry.

    But in response to such a stark problem, Perry has proposed that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) allow some power plants to recover the cost of storing on-site fuel. Such fuel storage allows power stations to run non-stop during extreme weather. Typically, America’s utilities give priority to the lowest-cost energy option for power transmission. But Perry is urging a pricing mechanism that would value these plants for their ability to continually provide power during disruptive events like massive storms and frigid winters.  

    Coal and nuclear plants would benefit from such a revision — since they maintain lengthy fuel supplies, and can typically remain in operation despite weather challenges. In contrast, natural gas plants can falter during interruptions in pipeline service. And much-touted solar panels and wind turbines are particularly vulnerable to storm impacts — and only function when the sun shines and the wind blows.

    The bottom line is that coal and nuclear plants still produce 50 percent of the nation’s electricity. It’s a significant — but declining — share of the energy needed to ensure reliable electricity. Thus, Perry is simply taking a very real-world approach to a burgeoning problem.

    Fortunately, other steps are underway to help secure America’s electricity supply. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt’s has announced a repeal of the Clean Power Plan, which would likely spare the premature retirement of more coal-fired plants that already employ stringent emissions controls while providing 24/7 electricity.

    Polling shows that 70 percent of voters favor a diverse mix of fuel sources to maintain grid reliability and affordable power. So rather than simply take coal and nuclear power plants offline, the Trump administration can support a more reliable electric grid by encouraging upgrades to existing facilities. These are important considerations for the coming decades, when an ever-growing nation will look to keep powering its schools, hospitals and infrastructure.

    Perry is right to help ensure a continuation of the reliable and affordable power that undergirds America.

     

    (Terry M. Jarrett is an energy attorney and consultant who has served on both the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the Missouri Public Service Commission.)

    Tags:

    america economics electricity energy grid nuclear plant politics power plant rick perry

    The Bradford Era

    Local & Social
    Latest news for you
    Men learn, do at Forge Nights
    Local News, News
    Men learn, do at Forge Nights
    May 13, 2025
    Men gathered Monday evening at Open Arms Church on Congress Street to be forged, or strengthened, by learning and doing — part of an ongoing initiativ...
    Read More...
    {"bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Commissioners honor motorcycle safety, mental health awareness
    Headlines, Local News, News, ...
    Commissioners honor motorcycle safety, mental health awareness
    Sara Furlong s.furlong@bradfordera.com 
    May 13, 2025
    SMETHPORT — “It’s good to see a full house in here,” McKean County Commissioner Marty Wilder said prior to the board’s regular meeting at the courthou...
    Read More...
    {"bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Former Otto Twp. supervisor cited for ethics violations
    Headlines, Local News, News, ...
    Former Otto Twp. supervisor cited for ethics violations
    Marcie Schellhammer marcie@bradfordera.com 
    May 13, 2025
    HARRISBURG — Former Otto Township supervisor Eric Barton has landed in hot water with the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, and has to pay back mo...
    Read More...
    {"bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Student news
    Lifestyles
    Student news
    May 13, 2025
    MANCHESTER, N.H. — Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has released its spring 2025 dean's list. The spring term runs from January to May. Full-t...
    Read More...
    {"bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    The Pa. House is set to approve new voter ID rules, reversing years of Democratic opposition
    Local News, PA State News
    The Pa. House is set to approve new voter ID rules, reversing years of Democratic opposition
    GILLIAN McGOLDRICK The Philadelphia Inquirer 
    May 13, 2025
    HARRISBURG (TNS) — After years of opposing such a measure, Pennsylvania Democrats are poised on Tuesday to allow a vote in the state House on a bill t...
    Read More...
    {"bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Can a new package of bills make Pennsylvania healthy again?
    Local News, PA State News
    Can a new package of bills make Pennsylvania healthy again?
    CHRISTINA LENGYEL The Center Square 
    May 13, 2025
    HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania has joined the chorus of states expressing dissatisfaction with federal food regulations. Republican Rep. Natalie Mihalek of...
    Read More...
    {"bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    This Week's Ads
    Current e-Edition
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Already a subscriber? Click the image to view the latest e-edition.
    Don't have a subscription? Click here to see our subscription options.
    Mobile App

    Download Now

    The Bradford Era mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the Bradford Era on your mobile device just as it appears in print.

    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Trending Recipes

    Help Our Community

    Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You!

    Get in touch with The Bradford Era
    Submit Content
    • Submit News
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Place Wedding Announcement
      • Submit News
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Place Wedding Announcement
    Advertise
    • Place Birth Announcement
    • Place Anniversary Announcement
    • Place Obituary Call (814) 368-3173
      • Place Birth Announcement
      • Place Anniversary Announcement
      • Place Obituary Call (814) 368-3173
    Subscribe
    • Start a Subscription
    • e-Edition
    • Contact Us
      • Start a Subscription
      • e-Edition
      • Contact Us
    CMG | Community Media Group
    Illinois
    • Hancock Journal-Pilot
    • Iroquois Times-Republic
    • Journal-Republican
    • The News-Gazette
      • Hancock Journal-Pilot
      • Iroquois Times-Republic
      • Journal-Republican
      • The News-Gazette
    Indiana
    • Fountain Co. Neighbor
    • Herald Journal
    • KV Post News
    • Newton Co. Enterprise
    • Rensselaer Republican
    • Review-Republican
      • Fountain Co. Neighbor
      • Herald Journal
      • KV Post News
      • Newton Co. Enterprise
      • Rensselaer Republican
      • Review-Republican
    Iowa
    • Atlantic News Telegraph
    • Audubon Advocate-Journal
    • Barr’s Post Card News
    • Burlington Hawk Eye
    • Collector’s Journal
    • Fayette County Union
    • Ft. Madison Daily Democrat
    • Independence Bulletin-Journal
    • Keokuk Daily Gate City
    • Oelwein Daily Register
    • Vinton Newspapers
    • Waverly Newspapers
      • Atlantic News Telegraph
      • Audubon Advocate-Journal
      • Barr’s Post Card News
      • Burlington Hawk Eye
      • Collector’s Journal
      • Fayette County Union
      • Ft. Madison Daily Democrat
      • Independence Bulletin-Journal
      • Keokuk Daily Gate City
      • Oelwein Daily Register
      • Vinton Newspapers
      • Waverly Newspapers
    Michigan
    • Iosco County News-Herald
    • Ludington Daily News
    • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
    • Oscoda Press
    • White Lake Beacon
      • Iosco County News-Herald
      • Ludington Daily News
      • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
      • Oscoda Press
      • White Lake Beacon
    New York
    • Finger Lakes Times
    • Olean Times Herald
    • Salamanca Press
      • Finger Lakes Times
      • Olean Times Herald
      • Salamanca Press
    Pennsylvania
    • Bradford Era
    • Clearfield Progress
    • Courier Express
    • Free Press Courier
    • Jeffersonian Democrat
    • Leader Vindicator
    • Potter Leader-Enterprise
    • The Wellsboro Gazette
      • Bradford Era
      • Clearfield Progress
      • Courier Express
      • Free Press Courier
      • Jeffersonian Democrat
      • Leader Vindicator
      • Potter Leader-Enterprise
      • The Wellsboro Gazette
    © Copyright The Bradford Era 43 Main St, Bradford, PA  | Terms of Use  | Privacy Policy
    Powered by TECNAVIA